BATH: The image of a busted and bloodied Pat McCabe is burnt into Scott Fardy's memory as a reminder of what it takes to chase World Cup glory.

But five days before the Wallabies start their campaign against Fiji, Fardy revealed he was "rattled" when Test warrior McCabe broke his neck for a third time and was forced into premature retirement.

It adds an extra layer of motivation to Fardy's own remarkable journey from Australian rugby unknown to a key cog in the Wallabies' hopes of winning the tournament.

Fardy was still playing in Japan when best mate McCabe and David Pocock were heroic in lifting the Wallabies to a quarter-final triumph against South Africa at the 2011 World Cup.

Blood was pouring from McCabe's nose and his dislocated shoulder left his arm limp at his side, but time and time again the hard-nosed centre put his body on the line to save his team.

It was McCabe's defining moment in the gold jersey and a testament to his toughness, but his career came to a shattering end when he broke his neck three times in three years.

"Patty is one of my best mates and it was difficult for me, I struggled when he [retired]. It rattled me a bit," Fardy said.

"Obviously he was more rattled than I was. When you're not alongside playing with him is tough.

"To see a friend in such a way is tough. Everyone was so emotional about it … he always realised that rugby's just rugby … I was in Japan [in the game in 2011], I remember the blinder David Pocock had [in the quarter-final] and Patty as well. It's something I won't forget. I want to be part of something like that in those games."

McCabe is widely respected for the courage he showed on the field and the effort he put in to make two separate comebacks from broken necks before he retired last year at 26 years old.

His former housemate Fardy has walked his own tough path to reach his World Cup goal.

The 31-year-old flanker hadn't even contemplated a World Cup call-up when he was toiling away in Japan four years ago.

His goal when he arrived at the ACT Brumbies was to prove he could handle Super Rugby. The Wallabies and a World Cup were too far-fetched to even contemplate.

"I was just thinking about getting a crack at Super Rugby, I just wanted one game [for the Brumbies]," Fardy said.

"The way the four years have panned out, I couldn't have dreamed of it. It's been awesome. 2011 feels a long time ago, there have been a lot of changes in my life. But I'm incredibly grateful for the people who have given me the chance to come back and represent my country."

Age hasn't diminished the excitement of playing at the World Cup in England.

The Wallabies play against Fiji, Uruguay, England and Wales in the pool of death and need to finish in the top two to advance to the next stage.

Fardy says the players have a chance to write their own history, just like McCabe did when he threw self-preservation out the window to use his body as a weapon.

"Every team wants to make history, there's going to be a moment in this World Cup where history will be made and we want to make the best possible history," Fardy said.

"It's an individual thing, we want guys to be able to express themselves and do that. When the time comes, we know guys will stand up."